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A personal appeal from Doug Horner to his Progressive Conservative MLAs suggests the embattled finance minister is facing calls to resign from within his own caucus because of his role in the travel spending scandal that helped topple former premier Alison Redford.

In an email sent to the majority of Alberta’s PC caucus — a copy of which was obtained by the Herald — Horner said he will not step down in the aftermath of an explosive report by Alberta’s auditor general that revealed rampant abuse of government planes by Redford and her staff.

Horner, who as finance minister is responsible for overseeing the provincial air fleet, assured his colleagues he did nothing wrong and never contravened government policy when it came to the fleet or its administration.

“Friends it has come to my attention that some of you think I should step down because of this and some of the other difficult files that I have had the privilege to manage over the last two years. I will not, the truth is my defence,” Horner wrote.

He also stated in the email he believes the Wildrose party’s call for his resignation is simply an attempt to get more political mileage out of the Redford spending scandal.“I do fear the loss of the respect of colleagues and supporters because of the misleading spin that is being attempted here. So to those who believe I should resign over this, the answer is no,” Horner wrote.

Last week, auditor general Merwan Saher said Horner — as the minister in charge of government policy overseeing the Air Transportation Service — must bear responsibility for how the fleet has been used.

According to the government’s own fact sheet, “All flights using government aircraft are booked through the Treasury Board and Finance Minister’s office.”

But Horner said in his email to colleagues — just as he said in a news conference Thursday — that he is responsible only for the policy that governs the use of the fleet. He said he relies on the trust and integrity of those who request the use of government planes, and it is not his fault if they disobey the rules.

“If you request a plane you are responsible for its use. (Is Budget responsible if you speed and get a ticket with their rental?)” Horner wrote.

“I will not let the fear of the opposition or media bully me into someone thinking that my reputation and contribution is tarnished by the actions of the few outside of my control,” he added.

Horner declined an interview, but several PC MLAs reached by the Herald Sunday confirmed they had received the email.

One MLA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was surprised Horner would make an appeal to his colleagues in writing.

“He must have been feeling the pressure,” the MLA said.

The same MLA isn’t persuaded by Horner’s argument, adding that there are many in caucus who believe Horner should have known that the government air fleet was being abused.

“I think he has to say it’s his fault ... anything that happens in his department under his watch is his responsibility,” the MLA said. “I’m not saying he should resign, but at least say it was his responsibility.”

However, Calgary-Fort MLA Wayne Cao defended the Finance Minister, adding that while there may be “quarrelling in the family” right now, the PC caucus needs to focus on the big picture and its vision for the province.

“Personally, I don’t want him to resign ... I accept his explanation,” Cao said.

Calgary-Northern Hills MLA Teresa Woo-Paw said she was unaware of any calls for Horner’s resignation from within the PC caucus and didn’t want to comment on what was meant to be an internal email.

“I’m certainly not one to think that he should resign,” Woo-Paw said.

“I haven’t heard from any of my colleagues that want him to resign,” said Calgary-East MLA Moe Amery. “I take Doug at his word.”

Steve Young, MLA for Edmonton-Riverview, said the PC party is in a holding pattern until Sept. 6 when it chooses its new leader. He said while he has “reserved judgment” on Horner’s actions, it’s a moot point right now.

“I’m more concerned about the leadership. That’s where the real politics and the conversation about the direction for Alberta is going to happen,” Young said. “It’s not lost on me how salacious this (scandal) is for the media and the opposition. But no, I’m not calling for it (Horner’s resignation) because I don’t see the point.”

Horner has also been under pressure in recent months for his controversial changes to the budget reporting format, with PC leadership candidates and several former PC finance ministers saying the format needs to revert to the old accounting method.

Chaldeans Mensah, associate professor of political science at Grant MacEwan University, said it would not surprise him if there were people within the PC party calling for Horner to step down.

“I think people realize the seriousness of the situation the party is in. It’s understandable that people would be calling for heads to roll,” Mensah said.

He added that though the Finance Minister may be able to ride out the next month, his political career could be in serious jeopardy once a new leader is chosen.

“The auditor general’s report has indicated there were serious problems within government. The new leader has to send a signal that he is taking the report seriously,” Mensah said. “Anyone associated with the Redford regime, or closely linked with the report of the auditor general, will have to go if the party is to have any chance of being competitive in the next election.”

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